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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, December 20, 2007
It's cold
Don't listen to anyone who tells you the Middle East is a hot place. I'm sitting in an empty Cafe' in the Merkaz. Usually this place is packed at 10pm on a weeknight... tonight its completely empty. It's cold, 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is really not THAT cold, but its enough to cause the Israeli public to stay home for a night; thats really quite a feat for nature... even suicide bombings don't keep Israelis from coming out, so mother nature has really pulled something off here.
Two of my coworkers and myself are huddled together in the "reflective corner" of Arcaffe. Ramin is reading the Kitab-i-Iqan, Sina is doing something rather complicated on his laptop... I can't really tell what he's doing but it results in him having a perplexed look of contemplation as he stares intently at his computer screen. He occasionally looks up, rubs his hands together like Mr. Burns did when he was contemplating world domination on the Simpson's, mutters something like "what the hell" and then keeps typing... maybe Sinas contemplating the same thing... or maybe, he's just COLD.
This cafe' rocks, obviously not because of its lack of heat or insulation... but check this... one of these guys is from Namibia, the other from Canada, I'm from the States... we may have never crossed paths if it hadn't been for this place and this Faith. We may have never enriched each others viewpoints of life and the Faith. We're sitting here talking about the Iqan, Ramin was telling me earlier about his life in Namibia. I mean I'm now contemplating a trip to Namibia at some point to go on a safari and visit him after he leaves. MMMM Son!
Ok.. so maybe its not so much the cafe' that rocks, the BWC is awesome and the Faith rocks your world even more, but good coffee always helps and I still give props to Arcaffe' for being host to some good times.
Two of my coworkers and myself are huddled together in the "reflective corner" of Arcaffe. Ramin is reading the Kitab-i-Iqan, Sina is doing something rather complicated on his laptop... I can't really tell what he's doing but it results in him having a perplexed look of contemplation as he stares intently at his computer screen. He occasionally looks up, rubs his hands together like Mr. Burns did when he was contemplating world domination on the Simpson's, mutters something like "what the hell" and then keeps typing... maybe Sinas contemplating the same thing... or maybe, he's just COLD.
This cafe' rocks, obviously not because of its lack of heat or insulation... but check this... one of these guys is from Namibia, the other from Canada, I'm from the States... we may have never crossed paths if it hadn't been for this place and this Faith. We may have never enriched each others viewpoints of life and the Faith. We're sitting here talking about the Iqan, Ramin was telling me earlier about his life in Namibia. I mean I'm now contemplating a trip to Namibia at some point to go on a safari and visit him after he leaves. MMMM Son!
Ok.. so maybe its not so much the cafe' that rocks, the BWC is awesome and the Faith rocks your world even more, but good coffee always helps and I still give props to Arcaffe' for being host to some good times.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
UN panel voices deep concern at rights violations in Iran
UN panel voices deep concern at rights violations in Iran
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — A General Assembly committee on Tuesday passed a resolution expressing "deep concern" at the "ongoing systematic violations" of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran.
The vote in the assembly's human rights committee was 72 in favor, 50 against with 55 abstentions. It came after an Iranian motion for no action on the resolution was narrowly defeated.
The non-binding resolution expressed "very serious concern" at confirmed instances of "torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including flogging and amputations."
Sponsored mainly by Canada, European countries, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Palau, it also denounced stoning and "increased discrimination and other human rights violations against persons belonging to religious, ethnic, linguistic and other minorities" in Iran.
The text particularly mentioned attacks on the Baha'i community in the state-sponsored media as well as "increased evidence of efforts by the state to identify and monitor Baha'is and prevention of the Baha'i faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically."
It called on Tehran to respect fully its human rights obligations, eliminate in law and in practice amputations and flogging and other forms of torture, and other acts designated as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The resolution also urged Iran to "abolish, in law and in practice, public executions and other executions carried out in the absence of respect for internationally recognized standards."
Ahead of the vote, Iran's UN Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee told the panel that "it was unfortunate that manipulation and abuse of United Nations human rights mechanisms have become a prevalent tradition and exercise of certain states in advancing their political purposes."
He particularly took a swipe at Canada, the main sponsor of the resolution, accusing it of arrogating "to itself a leading global role on human rights advocacy, while certain parts of its own population especially minorities, immigrants, foreigners and indigenous people suffer from human rights violations under its watch."
But Bani Dugal, a spokesman for the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, hailed the vote.
"We are pleased that the General Assembly did not shy away from its responsibility to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, as identified in the UN Charter," he said.
The resolution is virtually assured of being endorsed by the entire 192-member General Assembly next month.
You can find the original story here:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKTl0AtS69k7kHKOT2t0Z8umoc7g
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — A General Assembly committee on Tuesday passed a resolution expressing "deep concern" at the "ongoing systematic violations" of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran.
The vote in the assembly's human rights committee was 72 in favor, 50 against with 55 abstentions. It came after an Iranian motion for no action on the resolution was narrowly defeated.
The non-binding resolution expressed "very serious concern" at confirmed instances of "torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including flogging and amputations."
Sponsored mainly by Canada, European countries, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Palau, it also denounced stoning and "increased discrimination and other human rights violations against persons belonging to religious, ethnic, linguistic and other minorities" in Iran.
The text particularly mentioned attacks on the Baha'i community in the state-sponsored media as well as "increased evidence of efforts by the state to identify and monitor Baha'is and prevention of the Baha'i faith from attending university and from sustaining themselves economically."
It called on Tehran to respect fully its human rights obligations, eliminate in law and in practice amputations and flogging and other forms of torture, and other acts designated as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The resolution also urged Iran to "abolish, in law and in practice, public executions and other executions carried out in the absence of respect for internationally recognized standards."
Ahead of the vote, Iran's UN Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee told the panel that "it was unfortunate that manipulation and abuse of United Nations human rights mechanisms have become a prevalent tradition and exercise of certain states in advancing their political purposes."
He particularly took a swipe at Canada, the main sponsor of the resolution, accusing it of arrogating "to itself a leading global role on human rights advocacy, while certain parts of its own population especially minorities, immigrants, foreigners and indigenous people suffer from human rights violations under its watch."
But Bani Dugal, a spokesman for the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, hailed the vote.
"We are pleased that the General Assembly did not shy away from its responsibility to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, as identified in the UN Charter," he said.
The resolution is virtually assured of being endorsed by the entire 192-member General Assembly next month.
You can find the original story here:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKTl0AtS69k7kHKOT2t0Z8umoc7g
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
And so it rains...
It rained today. It not only rained, but it actually poured at a couple points. Rain has been somewhat scarce in Haifa for months now. Not as bad as where I come from though, where fire seems to be more the norm.
The first rain of the season is really something to appreciate out here... walk outside, take a deep breath, ahh fresh air. Everythings more colorful, contrasts appear more clear, Akka' off in the distance looks white and pearly against the deep navy blue waves of the Mediterranean. In the evening the ships dance about in the black sky and walking down the arc I look to my left and see the Shrine; gold, sparkling, and majestic... a true queen.
Ahh, what a life.
The first rain of the season is really something to appreciate out here... walk outside, take a deep breath, ahh fresh air. Everythings more colorful, contrasts appear more clear, Akka' off in the distance looks white and pearly against the deep navy blue waves of the Mediterranean. In the evening the ships dance about in the black sky and walking down the arc I look to my left and see the Shrine; gold, sparkling, and majestic... a true queen.
Ahh, what a life.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Random thoughts..
I was mentioning to a friend the other day that there are three ways to view any experience in our lives. There is the anticipation of a moment, the experience of a moment, and one’s reflection of a moment.
At times we think that how we felt in the past about something is how we should be feeling about something; often the feelings of anticipation or reflection for a moment can be more intense than our feelings of that moment while we’re even experiencing it. Why is that?
Anticipation is a powerful mover of emotion. We are often disappointed when something we had been hoping for days or weeks doesn’t materialize or when we actually taste/touch/experience the thing we’ve been pining after for so long we realize that its just not as good as I remember it… maybe there was someone we experienced it with, or somewhere we experienced it that was just special, or maybe we’ve just changed and who we were is no longer who we are and because of that what it is, is no longer what we thought it was.
Reflection is equally powerful. Call yourself to account each day right? But why? It may have something to do with the notion that it simply takes time to process something and place it into the proper perspective. It takes being away from something or someone to bring forth what that place or persons true value is. It also takes time to view your actions in a way where your thoughts aren't clouded by emotion.
I bring this all up for a couple reasons… among the most important being because the anticipation that we wrap around experiences keeps us from enjoying them, and in turn just being happy.
We have to not beat ourselves up when someone/something doesn’t meet our expectations. We have to not be upset if what we think we should be experiencing in a moment doesn’t materialize, or what we even hope to find in an individual or a place doesn’t become what we had hoped. We can maybe see a wisdom in things, but if we don’t that’s ok too, that’s where the spirit of faith comes into play.
Our happiness must not be based upon satisfying a need or desire in this world, it has to come from within and transcend pleasure or satisfying desire in this world. There is something deeper at play, a power, a love, a connection to a loving creator that loves us; love brings contentment, and contentment…brings happiness.
At times we think that how we felt in the past about something is how we should be feeling about something; often the feelings of anticipation or reflection for a moment can be more intense than our feelings of that moment while we’re even experiencing it. Why is that?
Anticipation is a powerful mover of emotion. We are often disappointed when something we had been hoping for days or weeks doesn’t materialize or when we actually taste/touch/experience the thing we’ve been pining after for so long we realize that its just not as good as I remember it… maybe there was someone we experienced it with, or somewhere we experienced it that was just special, or maybe we’ve just changed and who we were is no longer who we are and because of that what it is, is no longer what we thought it was.
Reflection is equally powerful. Call yourself to account each day right? But why? It may have something to do with the notion that it simply takes time to process something and place it into the proper perspective. It takes being away from something or someone to bring forth what that place or persons true value is. It also takes time to view your actions in a way where your thoughts aren't clouded by emotion.
I bring this all up for a couple reasons… among the most important being because the anticipation that we wrap around experiences keeps us from enjoying them, and in turn just being happy.
We have to not beat ourselves up when someone/something doesn’t meet our expectations. We have to not be upset if what we think we should be experiencing in a moment doesn’t materialize, or what we even hope to find in an individual or a place doesn’t become what we had hoped. We can maybe see a wisdom in things, but if we don’t that’s ok too, that’s where the spirit of faith comes into play.
Our happiness must not be based upon satisfying a need or desire in this world, it has to come from within and transcend pleasure or satisfying desire in this world. There is something deeper at play, a power, a love, a connection to a loving creator that loves us; love brings contentment, and contentment…brings happiness.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The fire of love...
Gladden the bosom wherein the fire of Thy love doth smolder, and set it aglow with the flame of Thy celestial love and spirit.
-Abdul-Baha
-Abdul-Baha
Friday, May 04, 2007
Its been six months!
To anyone who happens upon my blog still, welcome back! Over a fifth of my service has already passed. I havn't felt compelled to write much about my experience publicy. Why? Frankly because so much of what I've experienced here is deeply personal and spiritual. It is difficult to explain such things, no less in a public forum.
In my first six months, I felt at times immense joy and gratitude, at other times I have missed my family, my friends, and the familiarity and convenience of life in the States. Little things like getting from point A to point B quickly and efficiently, having laundry machines in your flat, or even having a car to get around in can eat away at you. The joy I experience comes from the Shrines and the incredible friends and co-workers I get to be around every day. I TRULY feel humbled here.
Having said that, I can say that these last 2 weeks were great fun. Mom stopped in from the States and we took a trip to Turkey to visit Istanbul and Edirne. Mona M. and her parents came along as well and it was a wonderful trip that fulfilled a wish of my mothers for many years, to visit the home of Baha'u'llah in Edirne.
The home was uniquely special. I haven't felt the same since going there. In fact when I was there I lost all track of time and mom had to come tap me on the shoulder to leave. I've come back to Haifa refocused. The experience helped me clear out a lot of the extraneous stuff and put some things in perspective about my service and with life in general. Among them is making time for myself, being healthy, and making more time for personal deepening and reflection.
I'm currently going through the Revelation of Baha'u'llah and I came across one particular quote on the "Veil of Ego":
There are passages in the Mathnavi in which Bahá'u'lláh exhorts man to burn away every veil that comes between him and God. Then and only then can he behold the beauty and grandeur of his Lord. One of these veils is the ego. Bahá'u'lláh calls on the individual to kindle a fire within his soul and burn away every trace of self so that the concept and the very word 'I' may totally disappear from his being. Indeed this is one of the most profound teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. When a person tries to exalt himself, to celebrate his own name and aspires to become famous he is, in fact, going right against the plan of creation. Such an individual hinders the flow of the bounties of God to himself. Although outwardly he may be considered a great success, in reality he has failed to fulfil the purpose for which he was created. When a man attains to real greatness, he then recognizes his helplessness, unworthiness and impotence. And when he becomes truly learned he genuinely discovers that he is ignorant. It is then that he can manifest the attributes of God within himself and impart them to others.
We find among the meditations of Aziz'u'llah Misbah the following utterances which truly exemplify his own life of detachment and self-effacement:
To relinquish one's love for oneself and to destroy every
trace of self, is a proof that one has comprehended the
meaning of existence and the purpose of life.(19)
The difference between true knowledge and formal
learning is that the former creates lowliness and humility
within the soul; the latter drives insatiably towards the
search for glory and exaltation.(20)
Notable among those who had attained the station of true knowledge was Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, the great Bahá'í scholar and one of the Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh.[1] He is renowned for his vast knowledge, not only within the Bahá'í community but throughout the East. He was an acknowledged authority on many subjects including history and divine philosophy and was an outstanding master of Arabic and Persian literature. Once in academic circles in Egypt he was referred to as 'God of the pen, a pillar of history and the corner-stone of knowledge and virtue.'
[1 More information about him will be contained in vol. III of this series.]
Dr. Habib Mu'ayyad, who knew him personally, has written a great deal in his memoirs concerning the greatness of this man. Here is one passage:
Once people asked him [Mirza Abu'l-Fadl] how he had
acquired this vast erudition and how he had become the
recipient of this God-given knowledge. He became so
displeased with his questioners that he angrily remarked 'Who
is Abu'l-Fad'l!+[1] What is Abu'l-Fadl! I am only a drop from
the vast ocean of Bahá'u'lláh's school. If you also enter the
same school, you will become the master of Abu'l-Fadl.
If you don't believe me go to Gulpaygan,[2] see my relatives
and then you will understand.'(21)
[1 His name meant 'the father of learning'. (A.T.)]
[2 The birthplace of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl where his relatives lived. ( A.T.)]
The following story gives us a glimpse of his greatness. In the early years of this century, 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent Mirza Abu'l-Fadl to the United States of America to teach and help the believers deepen in the Faith. After his return, he and a number of American pilgrims were seated in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká. The pilgrims began to praise Mirza Abu'l-Fadl for the help he had given them, saying that he had taught many souls, defended the Cause most ably against its adversaries, and had helped to build a strong and dedicated Bahá'í community in America. As they continued to pour lavish praise upon him, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl became increasingly depressed and dejected, until he burst into tears and wept loudly. The believers were surprised and could not understand this, even thinking that they had not praised him enough!
Then 'Abdu'l-Bahá explained that by praising him they had bitterly hurt him, for he considered himself as utter nothingness in the Cause and believed with absolute sincerity that he was not worthy of any mention or praise.[1]
[1 This account by Harlan F. Ober was given to the writer by the Hand of the Cause of God Mr. John Robarts.]
Mirza Abu'l-Fadl has truly set an example for Bahá'ís to follow, in that throughout his Bahá'í life he never used the word 'I' to ascribe merit to himself.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 2, p. 43)
--------
Having thought about the example of Mirza Abul Fazl, I feel like it purified my concept of service. What do you think, how does reading this excerpt make you feel?
In my first six months, I felt at times immense joy and gratitude, at other times I have missed my family, my friends, and the familiarity and convenience of life in the States. Little things like getting from point A to point B quickly and efficiently, having laundry machines in your flat, or even having a car to get around in can eat away at you. The joy I experience comes from the Shrines and the incredible friends and co-workers I get to be around every day. I TRULY feel humbled here.
Having said that, I can say that these last 2 weeks were great fun. Mom stopped in from the States and we took a trip to Turkey to visit Istanbul and Edirne. Mona M. and her parents came along as well and it was a wonderful trip that fulfilled a wish of my mothers for many years, to visit the home of Baha'u'llah in Edirne.
The home was uniquely special. I haven't felt the same since going there. In fact when I was there I lost all track of time and mom had to come tap me on the shoulder to leave. I've come back to Haifa refocused. The experience helped me clear out a lot of the extraneous stuff and put some things in perspective about my service and with life in general. Among them is making time for myself, being healthy, and making more time for personal deepening and reflection.
I'm currently going through the Revelation of Baha'u'llah and I came across one particular quote on the "Veil of Ego":
There are passages in the Mathnavi in which Bahá'u'lláh exhorts man to burn away every veil that comes between him and God. Then and only then can he behold the beauty and grandeur of his Lord. One of these veils is the ego. Bahá'u'lláh calls on the individual to kindle a fire within his soul and burn away every trace of self so that the concept and the very word 'I' may totally disappear from his being. Indeed this is one of the most profound teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. When a person tries to exalt himself, to celebrate his own name and aspires to become famous he is, in fact, going right against the plan of creation. Such an individual hinders the flow of the bounties of God to himself. Although outwardly he may be considered a great success, in reality he has failed to fulfil the purpose for which he was created. When a man attains to real greatness, he then recognizes his helplessness, unworthiness and impotence. And when he becomes truly learned he genuinely discovers that he is ignorant. It is then that he can manifest the attributes of God within himself and impart them to others.
We find among the meditations of Aziz'u'llah Misbah the following utterances which truly exemplify his own life of detachment and self-effacement:
To relinquish one's love for oneself and to destroy every
trace of self, is a proof that one has comprehended the
meaning of existence and the purpose of life.(19)
The difference between true knowledge and formal
learning is that the former creates lowliness and humility
within the soul; the latter drives insatiably towards the
search for glory and exaltation.(20)
Notable among those who had attained the station of true knowledge was Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, the great Bahá'í scholar and one of the Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh.[1] He is renowned for his vast knowledge, not only within the Bahá'í community but throughout the East. He was an acknowledged authority on many subjects including history and divine philosophy and was an outstanding master of Arabic and Persian literature. Once in academic circles in Egypt he was referred to as 'God of the pen, a pillar of history and the corner-stone of knowledge and virtue.'
[1 More information about him will be contained in vol. III of this series.]
Dr. Habib Mu'ayyad, who knew him personally, has written a great deal in his memoirs concerning the greatness of this man. Here is one passage:
Once people asked him [Mirza Abu'l-Fadl] how he had
acquired this vast erudition and how he had become the
recipient of this God-given knowledge. He became so
displeased with his questioners that he angrily remarked 'Who
is Abu'l-Fad'l!+[1] What is Abu'l-Fadl! I am only a drop from
the vast ocean of Bahá'u'lláh's school. If you also enter the
same school, you will become the master of Abu'l-Fadl.
If you don't believe me go to Gulpaygan,[2] see my relatives
and then you will understand.'(21)
[1 His name meant 'the father of learning'. (A.T.)]
[2 The birthplace of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl where his relatives lived. ( A.T.)]
The following story gives us a glimpse of his greatness. In the early years of this century, 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent Mirza Abu'l-Fadl to the United States of America to teach and help the believers deepen in the Faith. After his return, he and a number of American pilgrims were seated in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká. The pilgrims began to praise Mirza Abu'l-Fadl for the help he had given them, saying that he had taught many souls, defended the Cause most ably against its adversaries, and had helped to build a strong and dedicated Bahá'í community in America. As they continued to pour lavish praise upon him, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl became increasingly depressed and dejected, until he burst into tears and wept loudly. The believers were surprised and could not understand this, even thinking that they had not praised him enough!
Then 'Abdu'l-Bahá explained that by praising him they had bitterly hurt him, for he considered himself as utter nothingness in the Cause and believed with absolute sincerity that he was not worthy of any mention or praise.[1]
[1 This account by Harlan F. Ober was given to the writer by the Hand of the Cause of God Mr. John Robarts.]
Mirza Abu'l-Fadl has truly set an example for Bahá'ís to follow, in that throughout his Bahá'í life he never used the word 'I' to ascribe merit to himself.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah v 2, p. 43)
--------
Having thought about the example of Mirza Abul Fazl, I feel like it purified my concept of service. What do you think, how does reading this excerpt make you feel?
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Don't have much to say...
But I do have a great deal to show... stop by my flickr pages to see me try hand at photography:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassibaba/
Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassibaba/
Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Settled in...
Its raining outside right now... a rare occasion since I've been here in Haifa. Things are going well. I'm learning a lot about myself... praying a lot, definitely learning even more. I heard the last living Hand of the Cause of God tonight give a talk tonight. Afterwards... I felt inspired...so I went back to work. Perspective is everything. :)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
I'm online!
After weeks of waiting to get DSL installed, I am finally happy to say that I am up and running in my flat with the Internet. I am not quite to the point of being on wirelessly, but I do have a 2 foot long LAN cable connected to my DSL modem, that for the time being allows me to be online as long as I maintain a 2 foot radius.
I have been in the Holy Lan now for approximately 5 weeks. I have learned my way around (most of) Haifa city. I have a routine that involves me waking up at about 6:30 each morning and heading to work with my flatmate to arrive by 8am.
We are on time.
(Correction: We are on time, 98% of the time. Now this one fact should be stunning to most of my friends because they know that my virtue of punctuality has been sorely lacking and the mere thought of me waking up before 9am was a miracle over the last year. But yes dear friends, truth be told, miracles do happen in the holy land... I am walking proof of it.)
I should add that my flatmate is now one of the rare young people here who is blessed with having a car, he purchased it about 2 weeks ago. Since then our rides to work in the morning bypass the usual 100 stair climb and 4 block hike up Golom street towards the Arc. Oh well, looks like I'm going to have to find another workout routine while I'm out here... any suggestions?
Work, service, worship... is great. I'm doing a lot, learning a lot about how things work at the BWC and gaining perspectives into how differently things are done, especially where I work. Having come from the ELNK world where things were very much based on time to market, here the objectives are different, the mode of operation is different, and the inspiration for work is different. I have learned that while I draw on my past job experiences, many times I fall short if I approach a task or a solution to a problem with my old work mindset. Patience is key, the quality of what is produced must be absolutely perfect, so there is no room to sacrifice quality at ALL.
I miss my friends, I miss my family, I miss firesides at the Nelsons, I miss Starbucks on Wednesday nights after Fireside, I miss teaching, I miss Assembly meeting, I miss...
a lot of things. There are however extraordinary people here who have made me feel at home and had me over for many a dinner and we have laughed and enjoyed ourselves a great deal.
The Shrines are here, and while the experience of visiting them as a staffperson versus Pilgrimage is much different, the love affair that we build with these sacred spots sustains, guides us and nurtures us. There is truly something very special about this place. This mountain is sacred ground and I found a quote from a letter that Abdul'Baha wrote to his sister, the Greatest holy leaf, that sums it all up quite nicely:
"Thou didst go away to Haifa, supposedly for only three or four days. Now it becometh apparent that the spiritual power of the Shrine hath brought thee joy and radiance, and even as a magnet is holding thee fast. Thou surely wouldst remember us as well.
Truly the spiritual quality of the holy place, its fresh skies and delicate air, its crystal waters and sweet plains and charming seascape, and the holy breathings from the Kingdom all do mingle in that Sacred Fold. Thou are right to linger there..."
I have been in the Holy Lan now for approximately 5 weeks. I have learned my way around (most of) Haifa city. I have a routine that involves me waking up at about 6:30 each morning and heading to work with my flatmate to arrive by 8am.
We are on time.
(Correction: We are on time, 98% of the time. Now this one fact should be stunning to most of my friends because they know that my virtue of punctuality has been sorely lacking and the mere thought of me waking up before 9am was a miracle over the last year. But yes dear friends, truth be told, miracles do happen in the holy land... I am walking proof of it.)
I should add that my flatmate is now one of the rare young people here who is blessed with having a car, he purchased it about 2 weeks ago. Since then our rides to work in the morning bypass the usual 100 stair climb and 4 block hike up Golom street towards the Arc. Oh well, looks like I'm going to have to find another workout routine while I'm out here... any suggestions?
Work, service, worship... is great. I'm doing a lot, learning a lot about how things work at the BWC and gaining perspectives into how differently things are done, especially where I work. Having come from the ELNK world where things were very much based on time to market, here the objectives are different, the mode of operation is different, and the inspiration for work is different. I have learned that while I draw on my past job experiences, many times I fall short if I approach a task or a solution to a problem with my old work mindset. Patience is key, the quality of what is produced must be absolutely perfect, so there is no room to sacrifice quality at ALL.
I miss my friends, I miss my family, I miss firesides at the Nelsons, I miss Starbucks on Wednesday nights after Fireside, I miss teaching, I miss Assembly meeting, I miss...
a lot of things. There are however extraordinary people here who have made me feel at home and had me over for many a dinner and we have laughed and enjoyed ourselves a great deal.
The Shrines are here, and while the experience of visiting them as a staffperson versus Pilgrimage is much different, the love affair that we build with these sacred spots sustains, guides us and nurtures us. There is truly something very special about this place. This mountain is sacred ground and I found a quote from a letter that Abdul'Baha wrote to his sister, the Greatest holy leaf, that sums it all up quite nicely:
"Thou didst go away to Haifa, supposedly for only three or four days. Now it becometh apparent that the spiritual power of the Shrine hath brought thee joy and radiance, and even as a magnet is holding thee fast. Thou surely wouldst remember us as well.
Truly the spiritual quality of the holy place, its fresh skies and delicate air, its crystal waters and sweet plains and charming seascape, and the holy breathings from the Kingdom all do mingle in that Sacred Fold. Thou are right to linger there..."
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Food Food Food!
Haifa is filled with a host of different surprises. A couple blocks off of Abbas street, so named after Abdul'Baha (Abbas Effendi) for his many acts of devoted service to the city in his lifetime we made our way down to the "Wadi" part of the city. This portion of the city is known for its hot deals and good food.A turn down what appears to be alley in the Wadi takes you down into a bazaar type area with people selling everything from olives to ribs to who knows what. In here we were taken to what many people call the "Best Falafel Place in Israel"... the man at the counter was so sure of the product that he sold and his ability to hook you with it that he quickly offered up a complementary falafel just for walking in. Having now tried the falafel, I have to say that is was some of the best falafel I've ever had anywhere... The falafel is served up in pita bread, where delicious salad, tahina sauce, hot sauce and other fixings are thrown in. The combination is amazing! All for about $1.50 US.
On Saturday, the good eating continued...I spent my day off hanging out with some friends up in the Markaz portion of the city. I had breakfast at a place called "GREG" not "GREG's", go figure... for about the equivalent of $8 or $9 US I had a savory omelet, salad, fresh squeezed orange juice, bread, cheese, and a latte. For some of the gang who would ask me to compare it to Le Pain Quotidien, I can tell you it was just as good... if not better for the price!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Approaching the Seat of the Universal House of Justice
I have been here now just over two weeks in the Holy Land and it has gone by in a complete blur. The World Centre does an impressive job of getting you oriented, spiritualized and prepared to navigate the streets of Haifa and the many policys and procedures of life at the World Centre. It has to be one of the most unique places you can live and work in the world. I've met people from all over (Nepal, France, Germany, Kenya, Brazil, etc..) and after the first few days you take a step back and realize that all of these different people are united by two things... their belief in Baha'u'llah and their desire to come serve Him.
The Shrines become a constant source of renewal and refreshment, any time I begin to feel spiritually "outta-whack" its nice to have them close by to go to. The other night the first Pilgrim group of the season, of which Martine was a part, did their farewell. The farewell used to take place IN the Shrine, but now it takes place OUTSIDE and the Pilgrims circummambulate the Shrines. As staff, we had the chance to walk behind them; an old woman circummambulated despite being barely able to walk and being assisted by a friend, and a man who was completing adoring every inch of it rubbing his hand along it like he would an old adored friend. There was a full moon that at one point looked like someone from on high decided to shine a spotlight on the bay, I had never seen anything like it.
The Shrines become a constant source of renewal and refreshment, any time I begin to feel spiritually "outta-whack" its nice to have them close by to go to. The other night the first Pilgrim group of the season, of which Martine was a part, did their farewell. The farewell used to take place IN the Shrine, but now it takes place OUTSIDE and the Pilgrims circummambulate the Shrines. As staff, we had the chance to walk behind them; an old woman circummambulated despite being barely able to walk and being assisted by a friend, and a man who was completing adoring every inch of it rubbing his hand along it like he would an old adored friend. There was a full moon that at one point looked like someone from on high decided to shine a spotlight on the bay, I had never seen anything like it.
Monday, October 23, 2006
What a week!
I knew not what amazement was
Until I made Thy love my cause.
O how amazing would it be
If I were not amazed by Thee!
(Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 67)
Until I made Thy love my cause.
O how amazing would it be
If I were not amazed by Thee!
(Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 67)
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Tonight
Wow! A night which I can't hardly describe adequately through words. I have never felt so loved by so many people. Everything was just perfect.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Motivation
Of all the reporters on CNN, I am continually impressed by Anderson Cooper. He has, as of late, been stepping out of the normal day to day stories that we find on the news here in the US. This week he has been doing his broadcasts from Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His segment, aptly named "The worlds shame" aims to shed light on the ongoing violence that continues to grip parts of the African continent... violence that the world seems unable or unwilling to stop.Anderson keeps a blog on his trip and his entry today was graphic, gripping and moving when I read it. His accounts of funding problems and the lack of systematic action in what is obviously a humanitarian crisis, only underscores to me the necessity of the world community to realize what Baha'u'llah proclaimed years ago... "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded."
360 Blog - Anderson Cooper
Oct 5,2006
There are some things you see, some things you hear that simply are unspeakable. In a hospital in the eastern Congo city of Goma, we met a little girl. She never said a word to us, she could barely look us in the eyes. When she did, her eyes told the story.
"She never says anything to men," one of the hospital counselors explained, and then she told us why.
The little girl was raped. Gang-raped. It was allegedly done by soldiers engaged in a complicated regional war that has claimed millions of lives. The war officially ended in 2003, but outbreaks of violence and rape continue. The girl is now five years old. She was raped when she was three.
I wish I could tell you this was an extraordinary event. I wish I could tell you she was the only child attacked. The hospital was full of rape victims, and the doctor had seen other small children victimized.
Because the rapes are so violent, women often develop fistulas -- ruptures in their vaginas or rectums that make it impossible to control bodily functions. A charity called Heal Africa was running this hospital, and the doctor said he was able to fix about 70-80 percent of the fistula cases, but of course some wounds never heal.
Heal Africa has opened up a residence for women with fistulas that can't be surgically fixed, at least not here in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The women can't go home. Often they've been rejected by their husbands because they were raped. The stigma here is strong.
I met a woman named Angela. I can't stop thinking about her. She was raped by three men in front of her children. Afterwards they shot her, and she says they burned her baby girl. The girl is four now and has a massive scar all over her chest.
Angela's fistula was fixed, but her arm remains injured from the gunshot. Pscyhologically she's still devastated. To make matters worse, her husband kicked her out of the house.
"He heard I was raped," she said whispering. "And he just said, 'Go on your own, I don't need you anymore. If we lived together, you now might have HIV so you might infect me.'"
I didn't ask Angela her HIV status. I didn't think it was any of my business. Perhaps I should have asked, but she didn't volunteer it, and I felt like I'd already asked her too much.
The funding for the Heal Africa house comes from a non-governmental organization. They say their funding ends in April. It's not clear what will happen then.
"The only thing I need is some land so I can build a house," Angela said to me before I left. "I might die and I want my kids to have that castle. I'm hoping for a miracle."
There aren't many miracles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is not a fairy tale, some stories don't have happy endings. Here the men who rape with impunity are rarely brought to justice. Women like Angela are expected to simply bear the pain.
If you would like to help Heal Africa in the work they are doing, you can log onto their Web site.
----
It is a vivid picture like this that reminds us that there is an urgency to what we are doing... humanity is suffering.
That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled -- what harm is there in this?... Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come.... Yet do We see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind.... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind....
-(Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. viii)
Friday, September 29, 2006
For the girl who physically abused me at dinner last night
Feeling & Thinking
By Rumi...
Some one struck Zayd a hard blow from behind. He was about to retaliate.
When his assailant cried, "Let me ask you a question: first answer it, then strike me.
I struck the nape of your neck, and there was the sound of a slap. Now I ask you in a friendly way- "Was the sound caused by my hand or by your neck, O pride of the noble?"
Zayd said, "The pain I am suffering leaves me no time to reflect on this problem.
Ponder it yourself: he who feels the pain cannot think of things like this."
By Rumi...
Some one struck Zayd a hard blow from behind. He was about to retaliate.
When his assailant cried, "Let me ask you a question: first answer it, then strike me.
I struck the nape of your neck, and there was the sound of a slap. Now I ask you in a friendly way- "Was the sound caused by my hand or by your neck, O pride of the noble?"
Zayd said, "The pain I am suffering leaves me no time to reflect on this problem.
Ponder it yourself: he who feels the pain cannot think of things like this."
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The answer...
A visual representation of how I feel right now:
A dreamer is one who can find his way by moonlight,
and see the dawn
before the rest of the world.- Oscar Wilde
(From a birthday card I received)
A dreamer is one who can find his way by moonlight,
and see the dawn
before the rest of the world.- Oscar Wilde
(From a birthday card I received)
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wough, this is serious!
First off, I'll just say I have amazing friends.
Ok, so lets do the rundown:
#1 - LA is covered in smoke, making for an eerily pretty sunset.
And...
#2 - The leader of the free world is declared the devil at the UN:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_gkulSAmsY
#3 - I don't care... Because I'm listening to some new jazz I picked up yesterday:
Appalachian Journey - Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer (AWESOME!)
'58 Sessions - Miles Davis
Everybody digs - Bill Evans
Blistering Licks - Red Hot Riffs from the Giants of Jazz
#4 - Starting the Day off right tomorrow, going to morning prayers and breakfast with the gang at Le Pain Quotidien
#5 - Last but not least, the big "decision" comes on Sunday at 6AM... I can hardly wait!!!
Off to bed.. more tomorrow.
Ok, so lets do the rundown:
#1 - LA is covered in smoke, making for an eerily pretty sunset.
And...
#2 - The leader of the free world is declared the devil at the UN:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_gkulSAmsY
#3 - I don't care... Because I'm listening to some new jazz I picked up yesterday:
Appalachian Journey - Yo-Yo Ma, Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer (AWESOME!)
'58 Sessions - Miles Davis
Everybody digs - Bill Evans
Blistering Licks - Red Hot Riffs from the Giants of Jazz
#4 - Starting the Day off right tomorrow, going to morning prayers and breakfast with the gang at Le Pain Quotidien
#5 - Last but not least, the big "decision" comes on Sunday at 6AM... I can hardly wait!!!
Off to bed.. more tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tonight/Tomorrow
Today (9/19):
- My Cluster stats are done. Yes! Having a slow week at work. So I went down to Peet's... Am becoming slightly concerned at my caffeine intake... I don't think I've had this much coffee straight for this long ever without my tummy being upset. But so far so good!
- David came by and we read this short story that A.Q. Faizi wrote on Ahmad... This somehow led to me sharing my theory on male/female attraction levels with him. So theres the "she fell in my lap" approach and the "Go get em' kinda guy" approach and the "a friend set us up" approach... all with their own diagrams. Dave doesn't quite agree nor disagree... I think he said "I see your point boss". We'll see how it holds up over time.
- I stopped by Esther & Bill's, had a serious talk about the Institute process with Bill and did email checking over the phone with Esther while she's in the hospital. She dictates, I write replys to people... Esther says "I never had a secretary before, this is nice!" haha..Looks like she comes home tomorrow!! Yaaaahooo!
- Continued reading Revelation of Baha'u'llah volume 4. Actually backtracked in my reading(and I'm glad I did) to take notes and highlight some things. I think I finished off where Baha'u'llah sees a "Maid of Heaven" called Truthfulness in the Garden of Ridvan. More on that in a later post.
- At night met up with Romy, checked out his new digs over in Koreatown off Wilshire. Nice place, very roomy, and he has a fire escape he can go chill on if he needs too. He says his place is mineto crash in should I need it ever, SWEET! After touring his place we went down to the grove and later the farmers market, had some great mexican food and people watched all the hollywood types walking by. The Farmers Market is great, I really loved the open air atmosphere and variety of mom and pop places to choose from. Romy and I picked out a great table next to to some japanese tourists, he ended up telling me alot about his law school cases, but not to a point where it was annoyingly so. (Thank God!) We ended up having a long talk on socialization and how myspace and youtube are/or are not affecting it. (You can all tell me) I think we came to the conclusion that we can't really be sure, it seems myspace is to this current generation of 18-19 years, what Instant Messaging was to our generation... how it affects how people socialize in the end will be interesting to watch. There's no doubt it helps some folks reach out, but I personally feel it can also hold people back from socializing with folks in person... because it can just take up so much of your time.
- After eating, we went to Barnes&Noble, met the most mechnical starbucks baristas ever... got tea... went down and headed to Southwestern Law School. He gave me a tour of the Wilshire Bullocks Building (http://www.swlaw.edu/campus/campustour), it is an absolutely beautiful art-deco building inside and out. So what did we do at law school? Study? No. Write Case Briefs? No.
We played ping pong and air hockey of course... to which I came close but lost at both. *Shakes fist angrily*
And that was that. Headed back to Romy's and came home and spent the last hour chatting with a seeker about the Faith and declaring. I would say I was lovingly assertive in the talk... lovingly... assertive.. yeah. The good Lord did not create me with a great deal of patience, but it appears he is intent on having me build some up this year.
Tomorrow (9/20):
- Going to take Amelia down to LAX and have lunch at Panera. Gonna stop by the mechanic and see if I can get a bad temp sensor on the audi replaced, continue my reading while said sensor is replaced, then maybe stop by the LA Center and then catch fireside at night.
Until then...
Peace and love,
John
- My Cluster stats are done. Yes! Having a slow week at work. So I went down to Peet's... Am becoming slightly concerned at my caffeine intake... I don't think I've had this much coffee straight for this long ever without my tummy being upset. But so far so good!
- David came by and we read this short story that A.Q. Faizi wrote on Ahmad... This somehow led to me sharing my theory on male/female attraction levels with him. So theres the "she fell in my lap" approach and the "Go get em' kinda guy" approach and the "a friend set us up" approach... all with their own diagrams. Dave doesn't quite agree nor disagree... I think he said "I see your point boss". We'll see how it holds up over time.
- I stopped by Esther & Bill's, had a serious talk about the Institute process with Bill and did email checking over the phone with Esther while she's in the hospital. She dictates, I write replys to people... Esther says "I never had a secretary before, this is nice!" haha..Looks like she comes home tomorrow!! Yaaaahooo!
- Continued reading Revelation of Baha'u'llah volume 4. Actually backtracked in my reading(and I'm glad I did) to take notes and highlight some things. I think I finished off where Baha'u'llah sees a "Maid of Heaven" called Truthfulness in the Garden of Ridvan. More on that in a later post.
- At night met up with Romy, checked out his new digs over in Koreatown off Wilshire. Nice place, very roomy, and he has a fire escape he can go chill on if he needs too. He says his place is mineto crash in should I need it ever, SWEET! After touring his place we went down to the grove and later the farmers market, had some great mexican food and people watched all the hollywood types walking by. The Farmers Market is great, I really loved the open air atmosphere and variety of mom and pop places to choose from. Romy and I picked out a great table next to to some japanese tourists, he ended up telling me alot about his law school cases, but not to a point where it was annoyingly so. (Thank God!) We ended up having a long talk on socialization and how myspace and youtube are/or are not affecting it. (You can all tell me) I think we came to the conclusion that we can't really be sure, it seems myspace is to this current generation of 18-19 years, what Instant Messaging was to our generation... how it affects how people socialize in the end will be interesting to watch. There's no doubt it helps some folks reach out, but I personally feel it can also hold people back from socializing with folks in person... because it can just take up so much of your time.
- After eating, we went to Barnes&Noble, met the most mechnical starbucks baristas ever... got tea... went down and headed to Southwestern Law School. He gave me a tour of the Wilshire Bullocks Building (http://www.swlaw.edu/campus/campustour), it is an absolutely beautiful art-deco building inside and out. So what did we do at law school? Study? No. Write Case Briefs? No.
We played ping pong and air hockey of course... to which I came close but lost at both. *Shakes fist angrily*
And that was that. Headed back to Romy's and came home and spent the last hour chatting with a seeker about the Faith and declaring. I would say I was lovingly assertive in the talk... lovingly... assertive.. yeah. The good Lord did not create me with a great deal of patience, but it appears he is intent on having me build some up this year.
Tomorrow (9/20):
- Going to take Amelia down to LAX and have lunch at Panera. Gonna stop by the mechanic and see if I can get a bad temp sensor on the audi replaced, continue my reading while said sensor is replaced, then maybe stop by the LA Center and then catch fireside at night.
Until then...
Peace and love,
John
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Clinton on the Daily Show
This is encouraging... Clinton was on the Daily Show last night talking about his global initiative.
Towards the end he mentions the contrast between the power he had had as President and the power we have as private citizens to change the world. Seems like he's more able to get things done now, than he was as Prez. Imagine that!!
I think they like it because we're actually doing something.
Towards the end he mentions the contrast between the power he had had as President and the power we have as private citizens to change the world. Seems like he's more able to get things done now, than he was as Prez. Imagine that!!
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